Last spring the red tide killed over 300 manatees in Southwest Florida. Fortunately, many people called 1-888-404-3911, the Rescue Manatee Line at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Dozens of volunteers brought sick manatees to one of Florida’s rehab centers: SeaWorld Orlando, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo (see photo), Miami Seaquarium, and the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon.

SeaWorld, Lowry, and Miami take the critical wounded and sick manatees which may reach a length of ten feet and 1,200 pounds. When possible the manatees are returned to the Gulf or Atlantic.

To preserve Florida’s population of around 5,000 manatees, people need to continue these efforts and recruit more support.